LAST month, the poultry sector suffered a setback following an outbreak of bird flu which resulted in about 7 000 birds dying and over 142 000 birds de-populated as a quarantine measure to avoid further spread of the highly pathogenic outbreak.
Avian flu is a virus which occurs naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.
Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans, but sporadic human infections with avian flu viruses have occurred.
The bird flu was first detected at Irvine’s Farm, one of the country’s largest producers of poultry products.
The farm produces more than 1,5 million chicks per week.
The disease was also detected in some parts of South Africa that include Mpumalanga and the Free State.
As a result, Government banned imports of poultry products from South Africa.
The outbreak has since been contained locally.
Experts have called on producers with small stock such as goats and poultry to protect their flock from diseases. Government has, however, in the past seasons through the Veterinary Department, helped farmers vaccinate livestock for notifiable diseases such as anthrax, Newcastle, rabies as well as foot and mouth.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union livestock expert Lloyd Mataya said poultry producers should take precaution and avoid the spread of diseases.
“Important factors that should be addressed to ensure that one has a healthy flock of chickens are management and environment,” he said.
“When chickens are healthy, they eat less food and produce more meat and eggs.
“They are less trouble to look after and less money is spent on medical costs.”
Mataya said diseases spread rapidly among chickens because they are usually kept together in a cage.
“They (chickens) also share the same food and water bowls, which can spread disease and infections from sick to healthy chickens,” he said.
Newcastle disease is probably the most common disease for poultry farmers around the world.
This is a production disease that causes a large number of deaths in chickens and huge losses to farmers and the industry.
Because there is no treatment and the disease spreads so quickly, infected chickens should be slaughtered immediately.
Mataya encouraged farmers to adhere to vaccination programmes.
“With the help from local veterinary officers, farmers should follow stipulated vaccination programmes to protect their birds,” he said.
“Farmers should be educated that vaccination is not only important during the rain season.”
As part of measures to educate poultry producers on disease control, the Zimbabwe Free Range Poultry Association hosts courses on how to sustainably produce free range poultry and disease management using Ethnovet medicines.
Association secretary-general Beauty Jiji said courses have been held and will continue throughout the country’s provinces.
The courses target mainly free range poultry producers.
“There is currently drug resistance because of too much antibiotics in commercial birds,” she said.
“Through these training programmes, farmers learn how to use herbs and traditional organic methods in preventing and treating diseases.”
Jiji said it is recommended to grow herbs that help boost the birds’ immune systems thereby cutting costs on vaccinations.
“Garlic, onions, tomato leaves, aloe vera and mhiripiri (chilli) are some of the herbs farmers can use to help boost the immune system of birds,” she said, adding, “traditional methods such as using soot and mudzinganyoka, a herb grown around fowl runs that keeps snakes away, can be used to help preserve flocks.
“To improve on potassium intake and prevent feathers from falling off the back of birds, a farmer can crush egg shells, roast them lightly and add to feeds.
“It is also, however, strongly recommended that in the wake of disease outbreaks, farmers follow vaccinations routines.”
Experts contend farmers should adopt bio-security measures to protect their flocks.
Bio-security is a set of preventative measures designed to reduce the risk of disease spreading from one poultry facility to another.
In media reports, a veterinarian from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr Deryn Petty also said many people’s visits to farms also spread poultry diseases hence the need to restrict access to poultry facilities.
“Good bio-security means that you will spend less on antibiotics and possible production losses resulting from disease,” said Dr Petty.
“Cover all air vents and mesh wire screens to keep out wild birds.
“And watch out for rodents, as they are also carriers of disease.
“If rodents have access to feed, they can contaminate it and place poultry production under further risk.
“Temperature fluctuations can cause diseases in chicks, especially in the first seven to 10 days.”